Combined awning and shutter



Feb. 9, 1932. C, M|| ER ET AL 1,844,170

COMBINED AWNING AND SHUTTER t Filed March l, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 9, 1932. c. F. MILLER ET AL COMBINED AWNING AND SHUTTER Filed March 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1932. c. F. MILLER ET AL. 39644137@ COMBINED AWNING AND SHUTTER FledMaIGh l, 1929 3 Sheets-5h66?, 5

Patented Feb. 9, 1932 ,UNITEo sTA'rss @Partir FFC CHARLES F. MILLER AND SETH W. BRUNDAGE, OF MIAMI, FLORIDA COMBINED AWNING AND SHUTTER Application. iled March 1,

Our invention relates to a protective device for window openings and the like and has for its object the provision of means adapted to serve either as a shutter or a closure for 5 the opening or as an awning therefor.

A principal feature of our invention consists in providing an opening such as a window opening with a plurality of movable sections adapted to be disposed in substantial l@ vertical alinement to close the opening or in overlapping relation to serve as an awning therefor, means being pivotally connected to each of said sections to maintain them in substantially parallel planes in all positions of adjustment they may assume.

Another feature of the invention resides in movably associating a plurality of sections with a window opening which are connected by a plurality of links spaced one above the other, said sections being adapted to be moved into substantial vertical alinement to serve as a closure for the opening or into overlapping relation to serve as an awning therefor.

A further feature of the invention consists in providing a window opening with a plurality of movable sections pivotally connected by a plurality of parallel pairs of links spaced one above the other whereby said sections may move into vertical alinement or into over# lapping relation to respectively serve as a closure or as an awning for the opening.

Other and more specic features of the invention residing in advantageous forms and combinations of parts will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention: v

Figure l is a perspective view of the device when serving as a closure fora window opening.

Figure 2 is a vsimilar view of the device in an intermediate position of adjustment.

Figure 3 is a sectional view longitudinally of the window opening, the device being in elevation and in closed position. i

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 show-A ing the device in awning position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device in an intermedia-te'position, the arrows indicating the direction of 1929. Serial No. 343,628.

movement of the various parts, as the device is being moved from closed to' awning position.

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the device in closed position. i

Figure 7 is a sectional View of the lower section of the device.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary view of the latching mechanism employed for locking the device in closed posi- 60 tion.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 8.

Figure l0 is an enlarged elevational view showing the connection between the operat- 6:3 ing cord and operating arm. Y

Referring more particularly to the draw-V ings l indicates the wall of a building having an opening 2 within which is mounted a windowV frame 3 provided with a sash 4 of any e desired construction.

The protective device for the opening generally consists of two relativelyV movable upper and lower sections 5 and 6, respectively, which are associated with the window opening and adapted to be moved into either substantial vertical alinement, as clearly shown in Figure 3, to act as a closure for the opening or into overlapping relation, as shown in Figure 4, to serve as an awning for the openif:

- ing. TWhile it is preferred that these sections be constructed of wood it will be appreciated that any rigid material may be used. When made of wood each of the sections may be advantageously reinforced by a plurality of ZTI;v transversely extending wooden straps or bars 7.

To enhance the appearance of the device the outer faces of the upper section may be covered with any desirable waterproof fab- C3 ric and the bottoms and 'sides thereof may be provided with valancesas is clearly shown in ourv copending application, Serial No. 389,446.. One of the side Valances is clearly illustrated at 8 in Figure 4. 9i'

Disposed above the window opening is an angle ironhaving flanges 9 and l0, respectively, the former beingsecured to the outer face of the building by any suitable attaching h means 11 and the latter projecting outwardly f5@ therefrom substantially normal thereto. The

Iupper section 5 is hingedly connected to the and by brackets 15 to oppositey side edges ofthe window frame intermediate the top and bottom thereof.

Interposed between the upper and lower sections 5 and 6 for pivotally connecting them are a plurality of pairs of links 16 and 17,

" respectively. The upper links 16 are secured by brackets 18 to the upper section 5 intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof and they are secured to the lower section by brackets 19 adjacent the upper edge of the f latter. The bracket 19 is preferably in the form of a strap of metal which may advantageously extend continuously from the top edge of the lower section to the lower edge thereof. The lower links 17 are secured to the upper section adjacent its lower edge and to the lower section intermediate its top and bottom edges. Brackets 20 may be employed for connecting the links 17 to the upper section. The opposite ends of these links are received within a recess 21 in the member 22 which is interposed between the bracket 19 and the main body portion of the lower section 6. If desired the ends of the upper links 16 which are secured to the lower section 6 and the ends of the links 17 secured to the upper section 5 may be rigidly connected by horizontal portions 23. Since the links are of equal length and as they are spaced apart equal distances on the upper and lower sections it will be perceived that not only are they maintained in parallel planes but that they maintain the sections in parallel planes in all positions of adjustment assumed by the latter.

One of the lower links 17 is rigidly fashioned with an extension 24 to which an operating cord 25 or the like may be attached. The window frame 3 is provided adjacent the top and bottom thereof with pulleys 26 for cooperating with the cord 25 so that the device may be conveniently operated from within the building. rlhe opposite ends of the operating cord may advantageously be fashioned with any suitable means 27 for connecting them to the apertured end 28 of the arm 24.

Then it is desired to movey the sections from the closed position illustrated in Figure 3 to the awning position shown in Figure 4 that portion of the operating cord 25 within the building is pulled downwardly thereby causing rotation of the lower connecting links 17 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3. Since the ends of the links 17 cannot move downwardly due to their connection with the upper section this rotation of the links will tend to cause an upward movement of the lower section 6. This latter movement of the lower section, however, is resisted by the arms 13 and the result will be that the upper section will rotate in a counter-clockwise direction about its hinge axis causing the parts to assume the position indicated in Figure 5. As the sections continue to move to awning position it will be perceived that the horizontal distances between the opposite ends of the connecting links 16 and 17 continue to increase until the links assume a horizontal position as substantially shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. After they pass through a horizontal position the horizontal distance between their opposite ends starts to decrease and the upper section which has heretofore been rotating in a counter-clockwise direction starts to rotate in the opposite direction. This movement continues until the sections are brought into overlapping engagement and the arms 13 are so proportioned and disposed that when the sections are in this position they are above the horizontal. When the parts assume these positions it will be seen that they have become automatically locked. When it is desired to move the sections from' awning to closed position it is only necessary to induce a counter-clockwise rotation of the armv24 causing the section 5 to rotate upwardly into the` dotted line position indicated in Figure4. After it has assumed this position both sections will move to closed position under the influence of gravity.

Latching means is preferably employed for'maintaining the sections in closed position. In the present embodiment of the invention this means comprises hooks 29 pivotally associated with opposite sides of the window frame by brackets 30. The outer ends of the hooks are each fashioned with a ledge adapted to engage behind a plate member 31 rigidly secured to the lower reinforcing strip 7 of the upper section 5, the strip being suitably recessed as at 32 behind the plate to receive a portion of the hook.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that we have produced 'a strong and rigid device capable of serving'either as a closure or as an awning for window openings and the like.

We claim:

1. A protective device for a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into contiguous overlapping relation for respectively serving as a closure oran awning for the opening, 4said upper section being l sections involving a plurality ot pairs of links pivotally mounted thereon, the pivotal a-Xes of the links on each section being respectively spaced one above the other.

3. A protective device for a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into overlapping relation for respectively serving as a closure or an awning for the.

opening, said upper section being hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening, a plurality of links pivotally connecting said sections, said links being connected to each section one above the other, the upper one of said links being secured to the upper section intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof and to the lower section adjacent its upper edge and the lower one of said links being secured to the upper section adjacent its lower edge and to the lower section intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof, said links being arranged to maintain said sections in substantially parallel planes in all positions of adjustment.

4. A protective device for a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into contiguous overlapping relation for respectively serving as a closure or an awning for the opening, said upper section being hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening', and means connecting said sections involving two pairs of links respectively pivotally mounted on each section one above the other.

5. A protective device for a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into overlapping relation for respectively serving as a closure or as an awning for the opening, said upper section being hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening', and means pivotally connecting said sections involving a plurality of pairs of links respectively connected to each section one above the other, the upper one of said pairs of links being secured to the upper section intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof and tothe lower section adjacent its upper edge and the lower one of said pairs of links being secured to the upper v"section adjacent itslower edgeiand-to the. lower section ntermediatethe top and bottom-edgesy spectively serving as al closure or an awningv iorjthev opening, said-,upper sectionbeing hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of saidpening, said lower section being movablyassociated with said opening below the hinge axis of the upper section, and means connecting the sections involving two pairs of pivotally mounted rigid members, said members serving to maintain these sections in substantially parallel planes in all positions of adjustment said sections may assume.

7. A protective device for a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into overlapping relation for respectively serving as a closure or an awning for the opening7 said upper section beingk hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening, and a plurality of links pivotally connecting said sections, the pivotal axes of the links of each section being respectively spaced one above the other, one of said links having a rigid portion adapted to actuate said sections.

8. A protective device for a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable int-csubstantial vertical alinement or into overlapping relation Ffor respectively serving as a closure or an Vawning for the opening, said upper section being hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening, and means pivotally connecting said sections involving a plurality of parallel links respectively connected to each section one above the other.

9. A protective device for a window opening, involving .upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into overlapping relation for respectively serving as a closure or an awning for the opening, said upper section being hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening, means pivotally connecting said sections involving a plurality of pairs of links respectively connected to each section one above the other, one of said pairs of links having a rigid extension constituting an arm for operating said sections.

10. A protective device :tor a window opening, involving upper and lower sections movable into substantial vertical alinement or into overlapping relation vtor respectively serving as a closure or an awning for the opening, f

said upper section Vbeing'hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of said opening, means for mo'vably associating said lower section with the opening, said means involv- 4 1,844,1voA

ing a plrality of links respectively disposed adjacent oppositeside edges of the lower sece tion'and pivotally connected to the latter, and a plurality of links for pivotally connecting said sections, the pivotal axes of the links on each section being respectively spaced one above the other, and means operatively associated with one of said links for actuating said sections. e

In testimony whereof We aix our signatures.V l

' CHARLES F. MILLER.

SETH W. BRUNDAGE. Y 

